Simple Guy With The LOVE For Philately: Birds

Jan 7, 2011

Bird Cover From Romania

I would like to start my 2011 post by sharing a beautiful raptor cover from Romania. Simply love this cover especially the beautiful ms with clear CDS postmark.

2010 has been a very good philatelic year for me; not because I got some rare materials but rather because I met so many good friends along the way. Glad to have known all of you and hopefully we will have many more friendly exchanges.

For friends who are waiting for my reply, please forgive me as I will only be sending covers out this week as December is always a very busy month for me. Thanks for understanding.

Dec 26, 2010

Bird Cover From Vietnam

A lovely postal Bird cover from Vietnam and thanks to my dear friend Myron for remembering me. I guess this is the true spirit of philately; connecting through covers no matter where we are. Again, thank you very much and looking forward to many more friendly exchanges.

Dec 23, 2010

Bird Cover From South Korea

A lovely Bird Cover from South Korea depicting penguins. Simple love the clear postmark and very need cover. Again, its clear that using small covers is the best option for cover collectors. Moreover, keeping them is much easier. I'm definitely looking forward to more Bird Covers from South Korea.

Dec 16, 2010

Bird Cover From Czech Republic

Love this bird cover from Czech Republic. I have to admit Czech Republic has definitely issued many beautiful stamps in recent years and their bird stamps are definitely one of my favorites. As always, looking forward to more bird covers.

Nov 25, 2010

Bird Cover From Canada

This is a very beautiful Bird Cover from Canada depicting the Peregrine Falcon. Yes, Peregrine Falcons are also Birds of Prey which is my primary theme. That is why I love this cover so much.

I love the clear cancellation and the neat address. Though I have to admit, I personally prefer hand written address. LOL...

A little info about Peregrine Falcon:

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known as the Peregrine, and historically as the "Duck Hawk" in North America, is a cosmopolitan bird of prey in the family Falconidae. The Peregrine is renowned for its speed, reaching speeds of over 320 km/h (200 mph) during its characteristic hunting stoop, making it the fastest extant member of the known animal kingdom.

It is a large, crow-sized falcon, with a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". Experts recognize 17 to 19 subspecies which vary in appearance and range; there is disagreement over whether the distinctive Barbary Falcon is a subspecies or a distinct species. Typical of bird-eating raptors, all subspecies of F. peregrinus, including the nominate, are sexually dimorphic, with females being considerably larger than males.

The Peregrine's breeding range includes land regions from the Arctic tundra to the Tropics. It can be found nearly everywhere on Earth, except extreme polar regions, very high mountains, and most tropical rainforests; the only major ice-free landmass from which it is entirely absent is New Zealand. This fact makes it the world's most widespread bird of prey. Both the English and scientific names of this species mean "wandering falcon", referring to the migratory habits of many northern populations.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peregrine_Falcon

Nov 19, 2010

Bird Cover From China

This is definitely one of the BEST PHILATELIC COVER I've ever received. Everything a philatelic cover needs; complete set, clear CDS postmark, and clear address is on the cover. Simply a marvelous bird cover. Basically the ms consists of 6 stamps with 1.20 yuan denomination. The birds depicted in the stamps are as follow:

Taiwan Blue Magpie
Tibetan Bunting
Cabot's Tragopan
Snowy-cheeked Laughingthrush
Golden Pheasent
Biddulph's Ground Jay

Though, I'm a collector of Birds of Prey and pigeons, I've to admit that is ms is truly very beautiful. I doubt anyone will say NO to this cover. Last but not least. I'm looking forward to more friendly exchanges with friends from all over the world. Come on and join the fun!!!

Nov 18, 2010

Bird Cover From Taiwan

Another beautiful postal Bird Cover from Taiwan. I truly love the clear postmark and the stamps used. Thanks alot my dear friend and looking forward to more bird covers from Taiwan.

Nov 17, 2010

Bird Cover From Indonesia

This time around I would like to showcase a beautiful registered postal cover from Indonesia. Simply lovely with 2 bird stamps; Hornbill and Rock Pigeon. Again, I would like to highlight the importance of using the right sized cover. This is a C6 size cover and it is perfect for cover exchange. Bigger covers tend to get damaged much easier especially on the edges. Also please remember to include a cardboard inside.

Looking forward to more bird covers from Indonesia especially on birds of prey.

Nov 11, 2010

Bird Cover From Singapore

This is a simple yet beautiful bird cover from Singapore. Thank you Terrence for the Cover and I appreciate it alot. Love the cover as it has a clear CDS postmark and more importantly the correct postage. Yup, this is definitely a good example of a postal cover.

Nov 9, 2010

Bird Cover From Thailand

First of all, I'm really very sorry for the long overdue. I have been very busy with work recently and just couldn't find any time to blog. Again, my humble apologies to all my readers.

However, the good news is that I have my camera back and finally could post the beautiful covers Ive received all this while. For a start, I would like to showcase a lovely bird cover form Thailand which depicts ornaments of birds. Simply a wonderful bird set and to get them on a cover is truly wonderful. Thank you my dear friend for the effort to help me grow my bird cover collection.

Oct 11, 2010

Cover From The Philippines

This time around, I would like to share a beautiful cover from The Philippines. If you are wondering why I've hidden my address, no worries. Its just that my camera is having problems and I had to get this image from my friend. LOL...

I love the fact that its registered and has clear CDS postmark. Moreover, it is franked with a high value p50 Philippine Eagle Stamp. I truly appreciate your effort to help me grow my Birds of Prey collection. Just can't thank you enough my dear friend.

I guess when it comes to Philippine philately, the biggest attraction for me would be the Philippine Eagle. The Philippine Eagle, Pithecophaga jefferyi, also known as the Great Philippine Eagle or Monkey-eating Eagle, is among the tallest, rarest, largest, and most powerful birds in the world. A bird of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, it is also known as "Haribon" or "Haring Ibon," which means "Bird King". Its local name is banog.

A little info one of my favorite Birds of Prey:

The species was discovered in 1896 by the English explorer and naturalist John Whitehead, who observed the bird and whose servant, Juan, collected the first specimen a few weeks later.The skin of the bird was sent to William Robert Ogilvie-Grant in London in 1896, who initially showed it off in a local restaurant and described the species a few weeks later.

Upon its discovery, the Philippine Eagle was first called the monkey-eating eagle because of reports from natives of Bonga, Samar where the species was first discovered that it preyed exclusively on monkeys; from these reports it gained its generic name, from the Greek pithecus ("ape or monkey") and phagus ("eater of"). The specific name commemorates Jeffery Whitehead, the father of John Whitehead. Later studies revealed, however, that the alleged monkey-eating eagle also ate other animals such as colugo, civets, large snakes, monitor lizards, and even large birds like hornbills. This, coupled with the fact that the same name applied to the African Crowned Eagle and the South American Harpy Eagle, resulted in a presidential proclamation to change its name to Philippine Eagle in 1978, and in 1995 was declared a national emblem. This species has no recognized subspecies.

The Philippine Eagle was named the national bird of the Philippines in 1995 by President Fidel V. Ramos under Proclamation No. 615.This eagle, because of its size and rarity, is also a highly desired bird for birdwatchers.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Eagle

Oct 3, 2010

A Wonderful Surprise

Sierra Leone definitely brings much negative feedbacks when it comes to philately especially when they flooded the philatelic scene with topical wallpaper since mid 1980s. However, we cannot deny the fact that this tiny West African nation issued the world's first self-adhesive stamps in 1964 and again they were one of the early birds to adapt shape cut postage stamps.

I'm not a great fan of Sierra Leone die cut stamps but the 1967 die cut Eagle stamp has definitely caught my attention. Being a thematic collector of Birds of Prey specifically Eagles, to get one of this die cut stamp on cover would be great. I was trying to look for one in eBay and Delcampe but never had any luck. It just might be solely because Sierra Leone philatelic materials are just not a favorite among philatelist.

Then, one fine day, Martin mailed me that he would like to sen me a cover that was in his father's collection. I'm sorry for him as his dad passed away recently and decided to pass me the above cover. I have to agree it is not the rarest of cover or a pricey one but I'm really glad that someone actually remembered me. For me, thats a definitely a BIG WIN for philately. As Ive mentioned numerous times, philately was and is never about getting the most expensive materials but rather its about bringing people together. Thanks to philately, I found a new friend in Martin. Thank God for that.

I love the cover alot as it is a genuine postal cover sent from Sierra Leone to the Barclays Bank in Yorkshire, England in 1968. I personally love the clear postmark and if you notice even the air label is clearly stamped. I'm not too sure if the postage rate is correct but I'm quite sure its very close. Some feedbacks on the correct postage will be great.

Though for many philatelist, this is only a very normal cover but for me, its something I will cherish for life as it reminds me on how philately can bring people a far together. In addition, this cover definitely sits perfectly in my Eagle Collection.

Aug 27, 2010

Marvelous Raptors

Hereby, I would like to show 3 very beautiful FDCs from USA. Frankly, I don't collect FDC unless they have pictorial cancellation with regards to my themes. However, its different when I got these FDCs. They are just so appealing; its a work of art. Just check out the cachet. I guess my readers got to be the judge of this. Please enjoy:

Bald Eagle

African Fish Eagle

Martial Eagle

PS: As always, looking forward to get more materials with regards to Birds of Prey. Dear friends, do let me know if you have spares and please keep me in mind if you all come across any in the future.

Aug 12, 2010

Bird Cover From Iran

I received this beautiful bird cover last year thanks to my dear friend, Hamid. Definitely one of my favorite cover as it is not just a bird cover but more importantly a cover depicting the Ospreys (Bird of Preys). Love the postmark also though one of the postmark on the right isn't clear. I guess philatelist are humans also. Errors do happen. LOL

The pair of ospreys is actually a joint issue between Iran and Portugal. Hopefully, someone can send me a cover from Portugal. OMG, I know how greedy I can be but if anyone is able to help me, please mail me as I will prepare a good cover for you too.

Looking forward to receive more bird of prey or pigeon covers as they are my themes. However, as of now, I'm very much focus on materials with regards to Eagles. Hope of of u will help me grow my beloved collection.

Aug 9, 2010

Bird Cover From France

Thanks to my dear friend, Yves Stagnaro for this beautiful bird cover. Certainly a very creative cover with bird symbols and birds together.

Sadly, Yves didnt receive the cover Ive revert. OMG, whats happening? This is rather normal for India and Africa, hence the need to send registered cover all the time. But looking at India and Africa, its logical as the population and diversity there is just mind blowing. However, this is the first time that my cover to Europe actually lost its way. I guess there's a FIRST for everything and really sorry that Yves has to be the one. No worries, my dear friend, Ive prepared you another cover and hopefully you will like it.

Jul 19, 2010

Bird Postcard From Canada

Front of Postcard

Back of Postcard

Though I rarely collect postcards unless they are prepaid, but when it comes to Bird postcards, it doesnt seem to matter after all. Thanks Emilia for this beautiful Duck postcard and moreover the block of 4 that you used for postage. Definitely a lovely postcard, even for me. Hahaha...

Ive always been a fan of Canada's bird stamps and hopefully I will be able to add more to my collection soon.

Jul 15, 2010

Bird Cover From Turkey

Thanks to Ahmet for this beautiful bird cover. I love the covers prepared by Ahmet as they are really a work of art. It would be better if the cachet and stamps have the same bird but I guess I cant be too greedy. LOL. Hope to get more bird covers especially on Eagles from friends all over the world. Lets help each other grow our collection.

Jul 14, 2010

Personalized Bird Cover From China

Dear readers, I would like to present another personalized Bird Cover from my collection. Though many may argue that Personalized Covers are actually art and not philately, I totally agree. However, I definitely love to receive all this personalized covers as they give me a lasting impression of the sender. LOL...

Besides the personalized cover, I love the pictorial postmark at the back. China is definitely very innovative when it comes to postmarks. A BIG APPLAUSE to China Post.

Jul 12, 2010

Birdpex 2010 - Antwerp

Birdpex is a dream for all bird stamp collectors. Sadly, Ive not been to one and again Ive missed the chance of attending this year's Birdpex in Belgium. My dear friend, Holger has invited me to come over but Im really sorry I couldnt make it. Hope to be there for the next one.

However, to my suprise, I got some lovely gifts from Antwerp. Please enjoy this lovely souvenirs from Birdpex 2010. They are so lovely; its to die for...

Posted FDC

Posted Cover with Official Birdpex ATM Label and cancellation

Posted Cover with Official Birdpex ATM Label

A lovely set of Official Maxicards

A Little Info:

BIRDPEX 6 is the sixth bird-only stamp show. It is an international stamp exhibition “birds” that is held every four years. After Christchurch(New Zealand, 1990), Rosenheim (Germany, 1994), London (England, 1998), Leek (the Netherlands, 2002) and Nørresundby (Denmark, 2006) while this year it was held in Antwerp (Belgium, 2010).

This exhibition is open for every bird stamp exhibitor, beginner or advanced collector. Not only exhibits of thematic philately are invited, but also maximaphily, postal history, traditional philately, open class and one frame.

Together with BIRDPEX also the international FEPA and national stamp exhibition ANTVERPIA 2010 took place from 9th to 12th of April 2010 in Antwerp Expo.

PS: I just cant thank you enough my dear friend and hope to be personally there next time.

Jul 8, 2010

Bird Cover From Algeria

Front of Cover

Thanks to my dear friend, Abderrahmane, I got this beautiful Bird cover from Algeria. Really love this registered Bird cover alot as its my first Algeria cover. This is a sample where the Postal Authority allows stamp to be franked at the back of the cover. Please take note that not all countries allow this practice.

Back of Cover

This is definitely enjoyed by thematic collectors as the cover will not reflect a mixed of themes yet it will be compliant to the postal rate. However, I personally like to put extra stamps at a different corner in the front also. However, it all depends on our preference and as for me, I love each and every cover no matter how you frank it. Hand cancelled will be a priority though unless you got meter cancellation on Eagles... LOL, me and Eagles!!!!

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